“Treat the research process itself as a form of knowledge-making” – Feldman Fellows Revisited with Lejie Zeng
Named after the American historian Gerald D. Feldman (1937-2007), the Feldman Travel Grants enable scholars to spend up to three months in the host countries of the Max Weber Foundation’s institutes and use archives, libraries or collections that are relevant to their research. In the “Feldman Fellows Revisited” series, we interview former Feldman fellows about their experiences and research in the host countries.
In this episode of Feldman Fellows Revisited, we spoke to Lejie Zeng about herexperiences as a Feldman Fellow.
Which project did you work on as a fellow? Which countries did you visit?

Between 2024 and 2025, I conducted two research trips to China with the generous support of the Max Weber/Feldmann Travel Grant. These research stays were instrumental in advancing my PhD dissertation at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, titled “Colorful Encounters: Nature, Science, and Dyes between Europe and China”. My project investigates how the logistical movement of textile dyes between Germany and China reshaped industrial practices, knowledge production, and cultural life from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. By tracing these movements, the dissertation explores how Sino-German exchanges fostered the entanglement of knowledge-driven and resource-driven systems that underpinned the material and epistemic foundations of industrial globalization—viewed through the lens of natural and chemical textile dyes.
Although my initial travel plan included a second destination in the United States, I applied for and received an exceptional case approval to return to China. My first trip revealed additional archives and sources crucial for developing my arguments, particularly those related to Chinese dye industries and local technological adaptations. Moreover, political and logistical difficulties in the United States at that time made China a more productive and accessible site for continuing this phase of research.
Before applying for the fellowship, did you have any experience with archives, libraries, collections, etc. in your target countries?
Before applying for the fellowship, I had limited prior experience with archives, libraries, and collections in China. During my bachelor’s thesis, I conducted a short research visit to the Shanghai Museum to consult archival materials, and the process was relatively straightforward at that time. However, I anticipated that accessing archives without a formal institutional affiliation in China could pose some challenges, as procedures and requirements have become more stringent in recent years. Nevertheless, with careful preparation and local support, access remained possible and manageable in most cases

What has been your local experience with these institutions?
During my research stays in China, my experience with local archives, libraries, and museum collections was overall very productive, though it required considerable preparation and patience. Access procedures varied significantly between institutions. Major provincial and municipal archives—such as those in Nanjing, Shanghai, and Kunming—had clear application processes but required official letters of introduction and advance appointments. Smaller local museums and craft institutes were often more flexible and open to researchers, especially when I approached them through personal contacts or local universities. Despite occasional bureaucratic delays, I was consistently impressed by the professionalism and helpfulness of the archivists and curators, many of whom provided valuable guidance and helped locate less-documented materials relevant to my research.
Do you have any tips for other scientists in the qualification phase who are working in your field?
For other early-career researchers working in my field, particularly those conducting archival or museum research in China—I would recommend a few key points.
First, be flexible and adaptive. Archival access and collection conditions can vary greatly between institutions and provinces, and sometimes materials you plan to see may be unavailable or only partially accessible. Be prepared to adjust your focus or draw insights from alternative sources such as trade manuals, local newspapers, or museum collections.

Second, understand the procedural differences for foreign researchers. Access requirements can differ between Chinese citizens and foreign scholars. Foreign researchers are often required to present additional identification documents—such as a passport, university affiliation letter, or recommendation letter from a recognized institution, and in some cases, to make appointments well in advance. It’s important to contact the archive or museum ahead of time and clarify the specific documentation needed.
Third, build strong local connections. Relationships with local scholars, archivists, and museum staff are invaluable—not only for navigating administrative procedures but also for deepening your understanding of local contexts and sources.
Finally, treat the research process itself as a form of knowledge-making. Working across different linguistic, institutional, and logistical settings reveals much about how knowledge, materials, and infrastructures intersect historically and today. Embracing this complexity can enrich both the substance and methodology of your work.
Lejie Zeng is a Ph.D. fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, affiliated with three Berlin universities under the framework of the International Max Planck research School “Knowledge and Its Resources: Historical Reciprocities.” Her dissertation, “Colorful Encounters: Nature, Science, and Dyes between Europe and China, 1880-1950”, examines the interplay between synthetic dyes from Europe and natural dyes from China in the context of industrial chemistry and global modernization.

OpenEdition schlägt Ihnen vor, diesen Beitrag wie folgt zu zitieren:
Max Weber Stiftung (5. November 2025). “Treat the research process itself as a form of knowledge-making” – Feldman Fellows Revisited with Lejie Zeng. [gab_log] Geisteswissenschaft als Beruf. Abgerufen am 9. Dezember 2025 von https://doi.org/10.58079/153j1

